The President of the Nigeria Taekwondo Referees Association (NTRA), Ferguson Oluigbo, on Thursday urged the Nigeria Taekwondo Federation to use competitive trials to select taekwondoists for international championships.

Oluigbo said that through such trials, athletes would be able to defend their records and prove their competences in accordance with their current forms.

“It is better to invite taekwondoists who have excelled in various national competitions — taking into consideration — the first three positions in competing against each other.

“Through such platforms the officials will be able to identify those of them who have the competence to be selected to represent the country for international events.”

Oluigbo said the idea of selecting the practitioners based on past merit to participate in international competitions would not yield good results, as some might have lost form.

“The fact that one is a national champion should not be criteria for automatic invitation to camp, because such can limit the opportunity of other champions who may be in better form.

“The purpose is to record upsets, because we have some vibrant taekwondoists that are determined to aim for international recognition and in the process, make the country proud.

“The reason is that some after emerging winners in a competition, they may go to sleep and can become inconsistent in training and can fail in acquiring the latest techniques.”

According to him, when such are put in practice, national champions will become serious with their training, having in mind that some taekwondoist may be warming up to surpass them.